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Nike’s first collaborative project with Fear of God founder and creative director Jerry Lorenzo is highlighted by an court-ready basketball shoe, the Nike Air Fear of God 1. During the last few weeks, glimpses of the design — which incorporates a double-height Zoom Air heel unit — came through a preview of Lorenzo’s latest Fear of God offering and then appeared on the feet of NBA stars.

The rollout is tactical, all part of Lorenzo’s desire to focus on the emotional element of sport.

Tapping into a certain element of nostalgia and basketball’s most visceral aspects, Lorenzo wants to remind wearers of the power sport once had in defining style. Lorenzo recalls that growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was the pro athletes like Agassi and Jordan who influenced the way they wore street clothes.

Working with Leo Chang on the Air Fear of God footwear allowed Lorenzo to balance his aesthetic vision and performance aspiration. This collection reflects Nike’s belief in the power of innovation through collaboration.

Process is something Lorenzo says came from his athletic background in baseball and basketball. In sport, he found a foundation for how to go about life. The competitiveness that drove relative success on the field has been translated to his work as a designer.